NEW RELEASES: JAREZ – BLOW YOUR MIND; JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS - HANDFUL OF KEYS; EMI MEYER - MONOCHROME

JAREZ – BLOW YOUR MIND

The title of saxophonist Jarez’s debut To The Top, proved prophetic a few years later when he became a Smooth Jazz chart sensation with his mix of sensuality and soulful funk-fire. The innovative artist, who cut his musical teeth for years recording, touring and handling business affairs for rap great Coolio, takes his super blend of urban jazz and hip-hop to the next level with Blow Your Mind. The mix of high-energy dance floor jams and late night romances (one featuring the lush vocals of Selina Albright) showcases his sonic mastery as he fuses contemporary jazz and adventurous electronica textures. The title Blow Your Mind tells you everything that’s gonna to happen when you hit play on his best album to date! ~ smoothjazz.com

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS - HANDFUL OF KEYS

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and special guests take you through 100 hundred years of jazz piano on Handful of Keys. Star pianists Joey Alexander, Dick Hyman, Myra Melford, Helen Sung, Isaiah J. Thompson, and the JLCO's own Dan Nimmer grab hold of all 88 keys and reveal the full extent of the piano's evolution over the 20th century. Recorded on opening night of the 2016-17 Jazz at Lincoln Center season, Handful of Keys showcases a band in full stride, burning through electric arrangements of beloved compositions from James P. Johnson, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and more. With guests ranging in age from 13-year-old prodigy Alexander (recently featured on '60 Minutes') to 89-year-old American treasure Hyman, Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO survey jazz piano's past and give the stage to several prodigies who are taking the instrument in bold new directions.

EMI MEYER - MONOCHROME

With an interesting blend of jazz, soul and pop, Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Emi Meyer has carved out a wide-ranging career in Japan with her songs featured in TV, movies and advertising, and her performances ranging from small jazz clubs to major stages throughout Asia. For her debut U. S. recording, Meyer combines music from a set recorded in Paris with Belgian pianist Eric Legnini's French quartet, and new originals recorded in Seattle and featuring guitarist Dan Balmer & pianist Dawn Clement. From her own compositions to classics like 'I'd Rather Go Blind' from Etta James' songbook, Michael Buble's 'Home,' or 'What A Wonderful World,' Emi's intimate readings project poignancy and grace, tying them all together in an engaging package.